that were adapted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were adapted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been modified or changed from its original form, often in the context of literature, film, or other creative works. Example: "The movie is based on a novel that were adapted for the screen to appeal to a wider audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only those that were adapted for film have really tapped into the country's consciousness.

The Guardian - Books

ABC's dependence on angles that were adapted from Google Earth was damaging.

The New York Times

Both apes and early hominins had arms and hands that were adapted for life in the trees.

The New Yorker

It's right there in the Mormon articles of faith that were adapted from Smith's famous Wentworth Letter from 1842.

The New York Times

The aim of this study was to analyze distraction devices that were adapted to the individual clinical situation of the patients.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

We focused on the scales that were adapted for use with Turkish, Arab, and Surinamese (Creole and Hindi) individuals aged 65 years and older.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

We tested for both forms of alignment using a set of 10 independent populations of Drosophila melanogaster that were adapted to one of two environments.

Animal Behaviour

"Today we treat works of art as entities, but in the previous centuries paintings were often elements of interior design that were adapted to fit certain spaces – or adjusted to suit changing tastes," she said.

The Guardian - Arts

The Roman emphasis on the sanctity of legates became part of canon law, and church lawyers developed increasingly elaborate rules governing the status, privileges, and conduct of papal envoys, rules that were adapted later for secular use.

Britannica

An obituary on Jan . 14about A. I. Bezzerides, who wrote several novels that were adapted for films, omitted part of the title of one film and misidentified its director.

The New York Times

An Aegis cruiser, the Lake Erie, has two Standard Missile 3 rockets that were adapted to track the cold satellite, as opposed to the heated enemy warheads for which it was designed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes to a pre-existing structure or system, use "that were adapted" to convey that these changes were made to suit a new purpose or condition.

Common error

Avoid using "that were adapted" when a simpler verb like "changed" or "modified" would suffice. Choose the most precise verb to avoid unnecessary complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were adapted" functions as a relative clause, specifically a non-defining relative clause, providing additional information about a noun. It modifies the noun by describing how it has been changed or adjusted for a specific purpose. Ludwig examples show widespread usage across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were adapted" is a versatile relative clause used to describe modifications or adjustments made to something. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct with very common usage across various domains, particularly in science and news media. While its register is typically neutral, its technical nuance leans toward formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the modification process and consider simpler alternatives if appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were modified

Replaces "adapted" with "modified", emphasizing a change in form or function.

that were adjusted

Substitutes "adapted" with "adjusted", highlighting a slight alteration to achieve a better fit.

that were tailored

Uses "tailored" instead of "adapted", suggesting a more precise and specific modification.

that were customized

Replaces "adapted" with "customized", implying a change to meet individual needs.

that were altered

Swaps "adapted" for "altered", focusing on a change in character or composition.

that were transformed

Uses "transformed" instead of "adapted", indicating a significant change in appearance or nature.

that were converted

Replaces "adapted" with "converted", suggesting a change in form or function for a new purpose.

that were revised

Substitutes "adapted" with "revised", highlighting improvements or corrections made.

that were amended

Uses "amended" instead of "adapted", suggesting formal changes or additions.

that were reformed

Replaces "adapted" with "reformed", indicating a change for the better or a return to a previous state.

FAQs

How can I use "that were adapted" in a sentence?

Use "that were adapted" to describe something that has been modified to suit a new purpose or condition. For example, "The tools "that were adapted" for space travel had to withstand extreme conditions".

What are some alternatives to "that were adapted"?

Some alternatives include "that were modified", "that were adjusted", or "that were tailored". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that was adapted" instead of "that were adapted"?

No, "that was adapted" is used for singular subjects, while "that were adapted" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The tool that was adapted" (singular) vs. "The tools "that were adapted"" (plural).

What's the difference between "that were adapted" and "that were adopted"?

"That were adapted" means something was modified, while "that were adopted" means something was accepted or taken up. For instance, "The methods "that were adapted"" implies changes, whereas "The policies "that were adopted"" indicates acceptance.